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Community Voices in Energy national trainings are designed to prepare participants to address energy justice issues and drive change through energy regulatory cases that affect their communities.

Over the course of about eight bi-weekly virtual trainings, our 2024 national training explained and demystified traditional legal intervention in public utility commission proceedings, and how individuals can bring about a more just and affordable energy system through policy advocacy, organizing, and education.

Participants also gained insights from case studies such as amazing successes in Illinois.

At the end of the program the participants completed an impressive range of projects, many of which involved energy justice insights that helped scale the impact of the work. Participants received Energy Justice Intervenor certification showing that they had learned about navigating and influencing the energy regulatory system.

 

 

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The richest Americans account for 40 percent of U.S. climate emissions

The richest 10 percent of U.S. households are responsible for 40 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to a study released Thursday in PLOS Climate. The study, which looked at how a household’s income generated emissions, underlines the stark divide between those who benefit most from fossil fuels and those who are most burdened by its effects. “It just seems morally and politically problematic to have one group of people reaping so much benefit from emissions while the poorer groups in society are asked to disproportionately deal with the harms of those emissions,” Starr, a sustainability scientist at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, said. Previous research has shown that extreme weather events made worse because of climate change, from flooding to hurricanes, often have a greater effect on lower-income communities.
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Illinois to receive $430 million to reduce climate pollution

The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced that Illinois will receive more than $430 million in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, to tackle climate pollution, improve air quality, and advance environmental justice across the state. Grant funds will support building and industry decarbonization, freight electrification, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy.
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Peoples Gas seeks record-high gas bill increase for customers

Environmental and community activists turned out in Chicago to protest against Peoples Gas' request for a $402 million rate hike for next year. "We don’t think consumers should be having to spend more money to rebuild fossil fuel pipelines," said activist Caroline Wooten. Dozens of activists showed up to Thursday's Illinois Commerce Commission meeting to make their final plea before the commission votes on November 16.
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Understanding energy behaviors for a more equitable future

Dr. Destenie Nock published a new study based on research in Chicago showing that low-income households turn on their cooling systems in hot weather three degrees later than higher income households, but they turn on heat in cold weather six degrees earlier than high income households, whether because of poor insulation or other reasons. “This work highlights the challenges low-income communities face. Not only are they at higher risk in the summer, but in the winter they have to spend a lot more money to protect their pipes from freezing,” noted Nock. “The financial stress of heating homes in winter can also lead to broader inequities.” Dr. Nock's data can be used to shape policies that address systemic inequities, guide investments in infrastructure, and help improve living conditions for energy-insecure and vulnerable households. Dr. Nock has provided expert testimony in Illinois rate case proceedings.